Help Anas Walk Again: Support His Recovery

My name is Lauren and I am a mother and educator in California, United States. I came to meet Baraa, a Palestinian in Gaza, and she has shared with me her story, including the struggles of her family.

*Warning: graphic pictures of injuries below*

One day in July, Baraa sent me a message that the whereabouts of her 29 year old brother, Anas, were unknown after an ambush from the occupation. Anas had gone to inspect his home and their family home because they were displaced into a tent and were hoping to move back. However, when he arrived the occupation fired at him from planes and hit him directly on his feet. He was buried under rubble and Anas' injuries were extensive. Thankfully, his friend was able to rescue him and take him to the hospital, where only the bone in his leg was intact, and the remaining tissue was extensively damaged.

At the hospital, Anas received reconstructive surgery from a Korean doctor from Doctors Without Borders. The doctor performed 12 reconstructive operations, transferring tendons, connecting nerves, and building muscle and skin from transplants from his hip. He was spared from amputation thanks to the surgeon, however the damage to the nerves and tissues was unable to be completely treated due to lack of resources.

Although Anas has received some treatment and surgeries since his injury in July, he requires more extensive treatment abroad where they have the resources to treat him properly and possibly do an ankle transplant. Anas is a father to a young girl, and wants to be able to walk again and play with his daughter more than he can now.

Due to the unsanitary conditions, lack of proper nutrition and hygiene, as well as lack of access to further medical treatment and rehabilitation, Baraa has asked me to help fundraise for her brother.

Funds will be used to help provide him with adequate food, medicine, and shelter to survive the winter months. As you can imagine, Anas is in a lot of pain, and needs a lot of support. Baraa's goal is to raise enough funds and help Anas evacuate.

Please consider supporting them, they are a beautiful family and have been vetted extensively through pictures, phone/video calls, documents, etc.

Thank you for reading his story.